Long-term effects of the extended wear of senofilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lenses on ocular tissues

PurposeThe objective of the investigation was to show that, because of their overall properties, Acuvue® Oasys™ with Hydraclear™ Plus brand (senofilcon A) silicone hydrogel contact lenses achieve excellent ocular tissue tolerance during long-term extended wear.MethodsThe investigation was a 2-year, prospective, extended wear investigation of senofilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lenses worn for up to 6 nights without removal.ResultsThe 2-year results compared with the subjects' baseline ocular statuses on entering the study revealed:
• Similar limbal and lower bulbar (maximum rating P = 0.001) hyperemia, the latter associated with an increased incidence of slight or less hyperemia from 19% to 57% of eyes and an associated decrease in mild or greater hyperemia from 81% to 43%.
• Lower dehydration bulbar staining (P = 0.004) illustrated by a decreased incidence of mild or greater staining from 46% of eyes to none.
• Lower maximum corneal staining (P = 0.003) with no staining observed in 68% of eyes at the 2-year visit versus 41% of eyes at baseline.ConclusionsThe quantification of the effects on the ocular tissues of 2 years of extended wear of senofilcon A, by mainly previously successful daily soft contact lens wearers, found an excellent biocompatibility. The results support the hypothesis that senofilcon A contact lenses, when worn on a 6-night/7-day extended wear regimen, maintain excellent long-term ocular tissue tolerance.